Arkansas Governor: Would Prefer One Session On Medicaid And Roads

Gov. Asa Hutchinson speaking to reporters Wednesday inside his office at the state Capitol.

Credit Michael Hibblen / KUAR News

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson says he'd prefer one special session on the future of the state's hybrid Medicaid expansion and highway funding, but hasn't ruled out asking lawmakers to address the issues at separate times.

Hutchinson told reporters Wednesday he's meeting Feb. 1 with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell about his proposals to rename and add restrictions to the "private option." The program, crafted as an alternative to expanding Medicaid under the federal health law, uses federal funds to purchase private insurance for the poor.

Hutchinson also says he plans to unveil his proposals for increasing highway funding on Jan. 19. A task force last year offered a list of options for boosting road funding, including tax increases and tapping into general revenue.

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As expected the governor of Arkansas is asking federal officials to consider changes to the state's version of Medicaid expansion.

Republican Governor Asa Hutchinson's office on Monday released a copy of the letter he sent to US Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell announcing he's seeking a waiver for modifications. The letter was sent to Burwell December 29, 2015.

A panel studying the future of Arkansas' hybrid Medicaid expansion is shifting its focus to finding savings in the state's Medicaid program after issuing its preliminary report.

The Health Reform Legislative Task Force on Thursday approved its report on the "private option," which uses federal funds to purchase private insurance for low-income residents. The panel on Wednesday endorsed Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson's efforts to change and rename the program, which was crafted as an alternative to expanding Medicaid under the federal health law.

Arkansas’s Republican Governor Asa Hutchinson is moving forward with Medicaid expansion and seeking federal approval for new adjustments to what has been known as the private option. The Health Care Task Force endorsed Hutchinson’s proposal Wednesday.